Stage-related differences of mitotic and apoptotic indices,and bcl-2 protein expression in diffusely growing non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

The present study examined whether growth characteristics of diffusely growing non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) may differ as a function of stage. Among 105 NHL of various types and sub-types (REAL [Revised European-American Lymphoma] classification), localized (Ann Arbor pathologic stages I + II) lymphomas exhibited clearly higher indices for mitotic activity, apoptosis and cell turnover, as well as a significantly lower percentage of cells containing immunohistochemically detectable bcl-2 protein, than disseminated (stages III + IV) NHL. A similar pattern emerged when high-grade (Kiel classification) lymphomas only were evaluated. Low-grade NHL showed analogous, but less marked, stage-dependent characteristics, with the exception of median percentages of bcl-2⁺ cells, which remained comparable in all stages. Our findings are consistent with the notion that dissemination of diffusely growing NHL is usually associated with reduced cell turnover and, in high-grade lymphomas, with the generation of longer-lived cells. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Interleukin-4 down-regulates MHC class II antigens on cultured rat astrocytes

Mammalian cerebral astrocytes can be brought to express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules upon appropriate stimulation. It is well established that this expression is subject to modulation by several neurotransmitters and cytokines. We show that the low, basal expression of MHC class II antigens on cultured rat astrocytes is concentration-dependently down-regulated by low concentrations of interleukin-4 (IL-4), reaching maximal inhibition at 10 U/ml. The higher, γ-IFN-induced, expression of class II molecules is also decreased by increasing concentrations of IL-4, significant effects being already observed at 5 U/ml. Since the cAMP as well as the nitric oxide dependent cGMP pathway have previously been shown to mediate an inhibition on astroglial MHC class II expression, we measured the intra-cellular content of cyclic nucleotides after stimulation with IL-4. No rise in cAMP or cGMP is detected. Similarly, IL-4 does not affect the induced synthesis of nitric oxide radicals. Since MHC class II expression is a critical step in many regulatory processes of the cellular immune reaction, IL-4, via its activity on astroglial cells, emerges as an important modulator of immunological activities in the central nervous system. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerogenic effects of aqueous extract of Ipomoea batatas leaves in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rats

Objective:Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.is a food plant used in African traditional medicine to treat cardiovas-cular diseases and related conditions.We assessed the...     

Solvothermal synthesis and structural characterization of three polyoxotitanium-organic acid clusters

Three new titanium oxo-clusters Ti₄O₂(OⁱPr)₁₀(OOCPhMe)₂ (I), Ti₆O₄(OEt)₈(OOCPhMe)₈ (II) and Ti₆O₆(OEt)₆(OOCCHPh₂)₆ (III) were obtained by easy one-step solvothermal reactions of titanium(iv) isopropoxide, alcohols and carboxylic acids. The three compounds were characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, TGA/DSC, optical and electron microscopy, and FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. X-ray powder diffraction and spectroscopy confirmed the purity of the compounds. Structural analysis indicates that in all compounds the titanium(iv) ions are six-coordinated (distorted octahedra). (I) is a tetranuclear complex containing a Ti₄(μ₄-O)(μ₂-O) core, which is linked by two (μ₂-OOCPhMe), four (μ₂-OⁱPr) and six OⁱPr ligands. (II) and (III) are hexanuclear complexes with different cores, respectively Ti₆(μ₃-O)₂(μ₂-O)₂ and Ti₆(μ₃-O)₆. The coordination sphere of the Ti atoms is filled by eight (μ₂-OOCPhMe), two (μ₂-OEt) and six OEt in (II) and six (μ₂-OOCHPh₂) and six OEt in (III). Different steric hindrance of substituents attached to the carboxyl group or different concentrations lead to three main different cluster geometries with two ligands. The tetranuclear and the hexanuclear clusters were obtained with the OOCPhMe ligand, while the hexagonal prism cluster was obtained with the OOCCHPh₂ ligand. Hirshfeld surface calculations indicated that the packing is driven by C–O⋯H–C weak hydrogen bonds. The clusters can be used as molecular models of organic molecules bonded to titania surface, used in organic photovoltaic (dye sensitized solar cells) or other optoelectronic applications.

Crystal structures of three novel titanium oxo-clusters with different cores and ligands obtained by an easy and convenient solvothermal method.     

Cell-based assays for the detection of MOG antibodies: a comparative study

Journal of Neurology - The detection of antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is fundamental for the identification of MOG antibody-associated disorders (MOGAD), and the...     

Limited correlation between systemic biomarkers and neurocognitive performance before and during HIV treatment

The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) study A5303 investigated the associations between neuropsychological performance (NP) and inflammatory biomarkers in HIV-infected participants. Fifteen NP tests were administered at baseline and week 48 to 233 ART naïve participants randomized to maraviroc- or tenofovir-containing ART. Neurocognition correlated modestly with markers of lymphocyte activation and inflammation pre-ART (percent CD38+/HLA-DR+(CD4+) (r = − 0.22, p = 0.02) and percent CD38+/HLA-DR+(CD8+) (r = − 0.25, p = 0.02)), and with some monocyte subsets during ART (r = 0.25, p = 0.02). Higher interleukin-6 and percent CD38+/HLA-DR+(CD8+) were independently associated with worse severity of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) (p = 0.04 and 0.01, respectively). More studies to identify HAND biomarkers are needed.